2021 Kia Sorento Recalls, Problems & MPG

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 45 owner complaints for the 2021 Kia Sorento. The EPA rates it 24 to 37 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.

Recalls
5
Owner complaints
45
Crashes / fires reported
1 / 0
EPA combined
24–37 MPG

2021 Kia Sorento recalls

  • Electrical SystemSep 25, 2025 · NHTSA 25V649000+

    Risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness and blower motor resistor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC351. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 9, 2025.

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Sorento vehicles. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) blower motor wiring harness may be inadequate, which can result in a fire.

  • Power TrainOct 11, 2022 · NHTSA 22V760000+

    Risk: Loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission, as necessary. Dealers will also update the transmission control unit software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC250.

    Kia Motors, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento and 2021-2023 K5 vehicles. The vehicle's "fail-safe" limited-mobility drive mode may be impaired, when prompted by a transmission oil pump malfunction, which can result in a complete loss of drive power.

  • Trailer HitchesSep 19, 2022 · NHTSA 22V703000+

    Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect the vehicle, and, as necessary, replace the fuse and/or tow hitch harness module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC249.

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Sorento, 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid (HEV), 2022-2023 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), and 2017-2022 Sportage vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Debris and moisture accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

  • Seat BeltsJun 23, 2022 · NHTSA 22V447000+

    Risk: An exploding seat belt pretensioner can project metal fragments into the vehicle, striking vehicle occupants and resulting in injury.

    Fix: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioners with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC241. This recall expands and replaces NHTSA recall number 22V-127. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Sorento Hybrid and 2022 Sorento Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

  • Fuel System, GasolineJul 8, 2021 · NHTSA 21V519000+

    Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC214.

    Kia Motor America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Sorento and 2021-2022 K5 vehicles equipped with 2.5L turbocharged engines. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel rail.

Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.

Most reported 2021 Kia Sorento problems

Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.

  • Power Train20
  • Engine18
  • Electrical System12
  • Unknown or Other9
  • Fuel/Propulsion System5
  • Vehicle Speed Control2
  • Steering1
  • Trailer Hitches1

2021 Kia Sorento gas mileage

EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).

VersionEngineCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sorento Hybrid1.6 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM-S6)393537$1,750
Sorento FWD2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8)242926$2,450
Sorento FWD2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM-S8)222925$2,550
Sorento AWD2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (AM-S8)212824$2,700
Sorento AWD2.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (S8)232524$2,700

Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.

Questions

Does the 2021 Kia Sorento have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 Kia Sorento, most recently for the electrical system (Sep 25, 2025). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2021 Kia Sorento problems?

Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are power train (20), engine (18), electrical system (12).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Sorento get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Kia Sorento at 24 to 37 MPG combined (best version: 39 city / 35 highway).

Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.